The latest edition of the Michelin Challenge Design asked participants to design a vehicle for the year 2025 that will become a classic and defines, or represents, this transitional era in automotive design and technology to win the Michelin Concours d’Elegance in the year 2050.

The grand prize was won by Georgii Varodi from St. Petersburg, Russia, with his concept “DS Bertoni”, conceived as a “Bond car” for the year 2025.

The three winning designs, six finalists and four honorable mentions were chosen by the jury from more than 1,000 entrants representing 67 countries. In the past 18 years, Michelin Challenge Design has received more than 13,000 entries from 130 countries.

The 2nd winner – the Mystique Concept by Harsh Panchal

Representatives from the first-, second- and third-place winners were invited guests at “Movin’On by Michelin”, the premier global sustainable mobility event held in Montreal.

The winners and their designs were joined by winners from the 2018 global competition and recognized during a private reception at Movin’On.

“Michelin Challenge Design is the most important global design competition for emerging young talent. The beautiful thing is that we really engage the global design community. That was once again reflected in the works chosen by our jurors,” said Stewart Reed, Art Center College of Design in California and Michelin Challenge Design jury chairman.

“I’m always intrigued to see all of the different ideas that come from around the world,” said Craig Metros, Ford Motor Company.

“The premise of a car being built in 2025 becoming a classic is extremely hard. You have to project in 2025 first something that would be that far out and then in 2050 becomes a classic. This challenge is unique,” said Frank Saucedo, General Motors.

“Michelin Challenge Design is a fantastic opportunity for young designers around the world to participate and show off their design and innovation skills. The quality of work was impressive,” said Robert Bauer, Nissan Design America.

“The solutions were unique and I think what we arrived to in the final were equally different, yet had the same kind of feeling for a Concours car,” said Dave Marek, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

“I’m looking for that element of innovation. Concours is really less about the rational and more about the irrational beauty of innovation and art,” said Freeman Thomas, former global advanced design director, Ford Motor Company.

“It’s great to see younger people be passionate about what they do. We should do everything we can to encourage them and help them demonstrate their talents,” said Damien Michelin, honorary juror for Michelin North America.